Understanding organ donation processes and structures in ontario: A social network analysis approach.

BACKGROUND: Transplant rates in Ontario rose steeply in the decade prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Reasons for that increase remain unclear, but the inter-organizational arrangement of organ donation programs may have contributed. However, there is a paucity of literature investigating these inter-organizational arrangements, with a limited understanding of how communication facilitates organ donation. Understanding these arrangements may help to re-establish rising organ donation rates post-pandemic. OBJECTIVE: To describe interprofessional interactions of Organ and Tissue Donation Coordinators (OTDCs) during organ donation cases, within organ donation programs in Ontario, from an organizational perspective (describing structure, context, process). METHODS: Mixed-method social network analysis (SNA) approach analyzing 14 organ donation cases just before the COVID-19 pandemic. RESULTS: Structure: Social network graphs depict the joint work performed by hospital staff and OTDCs, with a great part of the communication being processed through the OTDC. CONTEXT: Network density ranged from 0.05 to 0.24 across cases, and health care professionals perceived an atmosphere of shared vision and trust among team members. PROCESS: Most networks had a degree centralization <0.50 suggesting a decentralized information flow, and participants perceived decisions being jointly made. The characteristic path length of cases ranged from 1.6 to 3.2, suggesting potential for rapid information diffusion. Overall, data reinforced the OTDC role of intermediator within the communication process, and hospital staff perceived OTDCs as central players. Hospital staff and OTDCs reported frustration with some aspects of the flow of information during the organ allocation processes. CONCLUSION: Findings from this study provide a network map of communications within organ donation cases and reinforce the importance of the OTDC role. Opportunities for quality improvement within these processes are identified.

Validating potential organ and tissue donors in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic: Scoping review and recommendations construction.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the available information to support registered nurses' clinical decisions in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: This is a scoping review developed in six stages. The sixth stage was developed with registered nurses who work in the Brazil Organ Donation System. To consolidate the information and prepare all assumptions, the legislation in force in Brazil was followed. RESULTS: Recommendations from 19 articles identified in the literature were analyzed; additionally, 52 professionals who work at Brazil Organ Donation System participated in the research. Four care assumptions were formed: investigation of community transmission, investigation of clinical situations, screening for COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and investigation of alterations presented in the physical examination. Such assumptions are formed by 34 care guidelines. DISCUSSION: Care assumptions were prepared to guide and support registered nurses during assessment and validation of potential organ and tissue donors. From this perspective, assumptions certainly promote safety, effectiveness and quality in the service offered during the organ and tissue donation process in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to empowering registered nurses in this scenario. Quality and bio-surveillance through the donation stages have been discussed extensively in recent times, to improve donation and transplantations by valuing care, safety, and quality of life of recipients. CONCLUSION: The care assumptions presented in this study support and subsidize the daily practice of registered nurses who work in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors, enabling these professionals to make decisions based on secure information.

Validating potential organ and tissue donors in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic: Scoping review and recommendations construction / Validación de los donantes potenciales de órganos y tejidos en medio de la pandemia de COVID-19: revisión del alcance y construcción de recomendaciones

Objective: To identify the available information to support registered nurses’ clinical decisions in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors during the COVID-19 pandemic.Method: This is a scoping review developed in six stages. The sixth stage was developed with registered nurses who work in the Brazil Organ Donation System. To consolidate the information and prepare all assumptions, the legislation in force in Brazil was followed.Results: Recommendations from 19 articles identified in the literature were analyzed; additionally, 52 professionals who work at Brazil Organ Donation System participated in the research. Four care assumptions were formed: investigation of community transmission, investigation of clinical situations, screening for COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and investigation of alterations presented in the physical examination. Such assumptions are formed by 34 care guidelines.Discussion: Care assumptions were prepared to guide and support registered nurses during assessment and validation of potential organ and tissue donors. From this perspective, assumptions certainly promote safety, effectiveness and quality in the service offered during the organ and tissue donation process in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to empowering registered nurses in this scenario. Quality and bio-surveillance through the donation stages have been discussed extensively in recent times, to improve donation and transplantations by valuing care, safety, and quality of life of recipients.Conclusion: The care assumptions presented in this study support and subsidize the daily practice of registered nurses who work in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors, enabling these professionals to make decisions based on secure information.

Objetivo: Identificar la información disponible para respaldar las decisiones clínicas de las enfermeras tituladas en la evaluación y validación de los donantes potenciales de órganos y tejidos durante la pandemia de COVID-19.Método:Se trata de una revisión del alcance, desarrollada en seis etapas. La sexta etapa se efectuó con las enfermeras tituladas que trabajan en el Sistema de Donación de Órganos de Brasil. Para consolidar la información y preparar todos los supuestos, el estudio se adaptó a la legislación vigente en Brasil.Resultados: Se analizaron las recomendaciones de 19 artículos identificados en la literatura; además, 52 profesionales que trabajan en el Sistema de Donación de Órganos de Brasil participaron en el estudio. Se formaron cuatro supuestos de cuidados: estudio de la transmisión comunitaria, estudio de las situaciones clínicas, cribado de los signos y síntomas de la COVID-19, y estudio de las alteraciones presentadas en el examen físico. Dichos supuestos están formados por 34 directrices sobre cuidados.Discusión: Se prepararon supuestos sobre cuidados para orientar y respaldar a las enfermeras tituladas durante la evaluación y validación de los donantes potenciales de órganos y tejidos. En esta perspectiva, los supuestos promovieron ciertamente la seguridad, efectividad y calidad del servicio ofrecido durante el proceso de donación de órganos y tejidos en medio de la pandemia de COVID-19, además de empoderar a este grupo de profesionales en este escenario. En los últimos tiempos, se ha debatido ampliamente sobre la calidad y bio-vigilancia a través de las etapas de la donación, a fin de mejorar esta y los trasplantes, valorando los cuidados, la seguridad y la calidad de vida de los receptores.Conclusión: Los supuestos sobre cuidados presentados en este estudio respaldan y subsidian la práctica diaria de las enfermeras tituladas que trabajan en la evaluación y validación de los donantes potenciales de órganos y tejidos,

Validating potential organ and tissue donors in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic: Scoping review and recommendations construction.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the available information to support registered nurses' clinical decisions in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHOD: This is a scoping review developed in six stages. The sixth stage was developed with registered nurses who work in the Brazil Organ Donation System. To consolidate the information and prepare all assumptions, the legislation in force in Brazil was followed. RESULTS: Recommendations from 19 articles identified in the literature were analyzed; additionally, 52 professionals who work at Brazil Organ Donation System participated in the research. Four care assumptions were formed: investigation of community transmission, investigation of clinical situations, screening for COVID-19 signs and symptoms, and investigation of alterations presented in the physical examination. Such assumptions are formed by 34 care guidelines. DISCUSSION: Care assumptions were prepared to guide and support registered nurses during assessment and validation of potential organ and tissue donors. From this perspective, assumptions certainly promote safety, effectiveness and quality in the service offered during the organ and tissue donation process in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to empowering registered nurses in this scenario. Quality and bio-surveillance through the donation stages have been discussed extensively in recent times, to improve donation and transplantations by valuing care, safety, and quality of life of recipients. CONCLUSION: The care assumptions presented in this study support and subsidize the daily practice of registered nurses who work in assessing and validating potential organ and tissue donors, enabling these professionals to make decisions based on secure information.

Risk Analysis of the Organ Donation-Transplantation Process in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Organ transplantation has been for years one of the best treatment options for several medical conditions, and, all over the world, thousands of people need an organ transplant. However, the process through which an organ goes from a brain-dead patient to a new recipient is a complex and delicate one. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: This study aims at identifying and assessing the main risks, their impact, and their relevance on the organ donation-transplantation (ODT) process in Brazil. DESIGN: To identify and to assess the risks of the process, we interviewed coordinators at the 10 State Transplantation Centers in Brazil, which is responsible for over 90% of donations that occurred in Brazil in 2019. We applied the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis method to calculate the risks in terms of severity, occurrence, and detection. The scores obtained from each risk were used to elaborate a ranking comparing the impact of 1 risk in relation to the others. MAIN FINDINGS: The interviewees identified 30 risks throughout the ODT process in Brazil. Most of them are related to insufficient human and material resources, lack of staff training and commitment, and poor infrastructure or logistical aspects. CONCLUSIONS: This study complements findings from previous studies and add new risks, based on the Brazilian state coordinators' point of view. It highlights the most critical weaknesses of the process and serves as a basis for future studies to delve deeper into each of those risks.

Complications Following Liver Transplant at a Teaching Hospital.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to analyze the liver transplant complications in a reference transplant hospital in southern Brazil. METHODS: The researchers used a cross-sectional, quantitative, exploratory, and descriptive study, conducted using 103 medical records of patients who underwent liver transplantation from 2011 to 2018. Data were analyzed through median, mean, and standard deviation, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used. RESULTS: There was a higher proportion of men (70.9%), with a mean age of 53.3 years, who had hepatitis C (43.7%). The indication for the procedure was hepatocellular carcinoma (34%). The most frequent complications included pulmonary (26.7%), graft-related complications such as rejection (21.1%), and viral infections (14.4%). In addition, infectious complications, such as pneumonia (45%) and septicemia (29%), occurred. The main causes of death were septic shock (15.6%) and multiple organ failure (21.9%). There was statistical significance between the recipient's age and the Model for End-Stage Liver Disease value at the time of transplantation for the development of complications. CONCLUSIONS: The data from the present study provide important information about liver transplant. These data may enable the team to propose strategies for practice improvements, which will certainly offer better living conditions and transplant survival.

Solid Organ Transplantation Activities Evolution in Brazil: Analysis of 20 Years.

BACKGROUND: From 1968 until 1997, transplantation-related activities were not properly regulated and were informally practiced. During 20 years, many legal and political changes influenced it. OBJECTIVE: To provide a historical overview of the 20 years with a descriptive data analysis of a 20-year data set. METHODOLOGY: We investigated information from Brazilian Transplantation Reports between 1997 and 2017. In this way, we classified all data into 5 Brazilian macro regions: Center-West, Northeast, North, Southeast, and South. In total, we included 27 states (including Capital District) and limited study to the heart, liver, and kidney. RESULTS: We analyzed 2835 data entries and associated population information from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. We observed 2 distinct groups, one uniquely formed by the North region, with figures significantly lower than the remaining regions. After 2003, Southeast, South, and Northeast regions indicated a growing movement, whereas Center-West indicated certain stability in 50 and ranging between 50 and 100 cases (yearly basis) after 2011. Recently (2016 and 2017), the South region indicates another crescendo movement suggesting another detachment from the other regions, but it is something not clearly observed and, if true, should be figured in new reports of Brazilian Association of Organ Transplantation. CONCLUSION: This study identified and observed the time-spatial progress of organ transplantation in Brazil. In conclusion, after analysis of this 20-year data consolidation related to organ transplantation in Brazil, we observed a public investment in implementing quality evaluation and safety to provide figures that deliver visibility to the numbers reported in this article.

Loss of Potential Donors Due to Hemodynamic Maintenance.

BACKGROUND: Statistics indicate low utilization of potential donors, where only about one-third are converted into actual donors. In this context, it is plausible to argue that many potential donors are not hemodynamically stable for harvesting multiple organs since the procedures for maintaining parameters of stability may not be a priority in all critical care units in the country. Thus, it is necessary to identify losses of potential donors due to hemodynamic maintenance since reversing this situation enable minimizing mortality on waiting lists. METHODS: This was a retrospective quantitative study, based on information sent to Notification, Organ Procurement, and Distribution Centers by reporting hospitals in the state of São Paulo, using the Death Information Form regarding the specifics of each death registered in their intensive care units and emergency rooms. RESULTS: Hemodynamic instability contributed to a loss of 537 potential donors, corresponding to 61.9% of failures to obtain potentially transplantable organs. CONCLUSION: Of the 33,175 cases of death reported, 867 fulfilled the criteria to be possible and potential donors (ie, patients diagnosed with brain death). Among these cases, 38.1% fulfilled Criterion 3 (ie, they were hemodynamically stable and in ideal organ donation condition). Therefore, this study concludes that losses due to maintenance occurred in 537 brain dead patients. This finding highlights the importance of investing in the development of competencies of professionals who work in critical care units to increase the number of multiple organ and tissue donors and reduce waiting lists.

Health Needs of Patients Undergoing Liver Transplant From the Context of Hospital Discharge.

OBJECTIVE: To identify the health needs of the patient and family facing the perspectives of discharge, health care, and adaptation to the new reality at home. METHODS: This was a quantitative and qualitative, exploratory, descriptive study conducted at a reference hospital for liver transplantation. The participants were patients undergoing liver transplant in this hospital unit from 2011 to June 2019. A semistructured interview script was used for data collection, and data were analyzed according to guidelines proposed for content analysis. RESULTS: Twenty patients participated, with a mean age of 40.2 years; 76% were men. The interview data enabled the development of 3 categories: daily health care, warning signs, and adaptation to the new health care routine. The data obtained from the categories showed that the main health needs include difficulties in blood glucose management, insulin administration, the importance of awareness of the warning signs, and obtaining support from the health care team to deal with food restrictions and high doses of medication. CONCLUSION: The health needs are focused on identifying strategies to develop daily care, in addition to seeking better strategies to adapt to the new reality. The study showed the need for individualized discharge planning by the health care team, based on the health needs of each patient.

Prevalence of Medication Nonadherence to Co-medication Compared to Immunosuppressants in Heart Transplant Recipients: Findings From the International Cross-sectional BRIGHT Study.

PURPOSE: To assess and compare the prevalence of medication nonadherence (MNA) (implementation and persistence) to immunosuppressants and co-medications in heart transplant recipients. METHODS: MNA prevalence was assessed using the Basel Assessment of Adherence to Immunosuppressive Medications Scale (self-report) and compared using logistic regression in a 4-continent sample of 1397 heart transplant recipients from 36 heart transplant centers in 11 countries. FINDINGS: MNA was significantly (α = 0.05) higher to co-medications than to immunosuppressants (taking nonadherence: 23.9% vs 17.3%; odds ratio [OR] = 1.5; 95% CI, 1.30-1.73; drug holiday: 5.7% vs 1.9%; OR = 3.17; 95% CI, 2.13-4.73; dose alteration: 3.8% vs 1.6%; OR = 2.46; 95% CI, 1.49-4.06; and discontinuation: 2.6% vs 0.5%; OR = 5.15; 95% CI, 2.36-11.20). IMPLICATIONS: The observed MNA necessitates adherence-enhancing interventions encompassing the entire post-heart transplant medication regimen. ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01608477.

[Efficiency indicators to assess the organ donation and transplantation process: systematic review of the literature]. / Indicadores de eficiência no processo de doação e transplante de órgãos: revisão sistemática da literatura.

OBJECTIVE: To search the literature and identify indicators used to monitor and control the organ donation and transplantation process and to group these indicators into categories. METHOD: In November 2014, a systematic review of the literature was carried out in the following databases: Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), EBSCO, Emerald, Proquest, Science Direct, and Web of Science. The following search terms (and the corresponding terms in Brazilian Portuguese) were employed: "efficiency," "indicators," "organ donation," "tissue and organ procurement," and "organ transplantation." Of the 344 articles retrieved, 23 original articles published between 1992 and 2013 were selected and reviewed for analysis of efficiency indicators. RESULTS: The review revealed 117 efficiency indicators, which were grouped according to similarity of content and divided into three categories: 1) 71 indicators related to organ donation, covering mortality statistics, communication of brain death, clinical status of donors and exclusion of donors for medical reasons, attitude of families, confirmation of donations, and extraction of organs and tissues; 2) 22 indicators related to organ transplantation, covering the surgical procedure per se and post-transplantation follow-up; and 3) 24 indicators related to the demand for organs and the resources of hospitals involved in the process. CONCLUSIONS: Even if organ transplantation is a recent phenomenon, the high number of efficiency indicators described in the literature suggests that scholars interested in this field have been searching for ways to measure performance. However, there is little standardization of the indicators used. Also, most indicators focus on the donation step, suggesting gaps in the measurement of efficiency at others points in the process. Additional indicators are needed to monitor important stages, such as organ distribution (for example, organ loss indicators) and post-transplantation aspects (for example, survival and quality of life).

Indicadores de eficiência no processo de doação e transplante de órgãos: revisão sistemática da literatura / Efficiency indicators to assess the organ donation and transplantation process: systematic review of the literature

RESUMO Objetivo Verificar, por meio de revisão sistemática da literatura, os indicadores utilizados para acompanhar e controlar o processo de doação e transplante de órgãos e elaborar um painel para tipificação dos indicadores descritos na literatura. Método Em novembro de 2014, foi realizada uma busca sistemática da literatura nas bases de dados da Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), EBSCO, Emerald, Proquest, Science Direct e Web of Science. Foram utilizados os descritores “eficiência”, “indicadores”, “doação de órgãos”, “captação de órgãos”, “transplante de órgãos” e seus correspondentes na língua inglesa. Dos 344 artigos retornados pela busca, foram selecionados e revisados para análise dos indicadores de eficiência 23 artigos originais publicados de 1992 a 2013. Resultados Foram identificados 117 indicadores de eficiência, os quais foram agrupados por similaridade de conteúdo e divididos em três categorias: 1) 71 indicadores relacionados à doação de órgãos, envolvendo estatísticas de mortalidade, notificação de morte encefálica, situação clínica dos doadores e exclusão por razões médicas, atitude da família, confirmação da doação e extração dos órgãos; 2) 22 indicadores relacionados ao transplante de órgãos, envolvendo a cirurgia propriamente dita e o acompanhamento pós-transplante; e 3) 24 indicadores relacionados à demanda por órgãos e aos recursos dos hospitais envolvidos no processo. Conclusões O alto número de indicadores encontrados mostra que, mesmo sendo o transplante de órgãos um fenômeno recente, os estudiosos do processo têm buscado formas de mensurar o seu desempenho. Contudo, há pouca padronização dos indicadores e o foco é predominantemente na etapa da doação, sugerindo lacunas na mensuração da eficiência em outros pontos do processo. Além disso, ainda há carência de indicadores em importantes etapas, como na distribuição de órgãos (por exemplo, indicadores de perda de órgãos) e no pós-transplante (por exemplo, indicadores de sobrevida e qualidade de vida após a cirurgia de transplante).

ABSTRACT Objective To search the literature and identify indicators used to monitor and control the organ donation and transplantation process and to group these indicators into categories. Method In November 2014, a systematic review of the literature was carried out in the following databases: Biblioteca Virtual em Saúde (BVS), EBSCO, Emerald, Proquest, Science Direct, and Web of Science. The following search terms (and the corresponding terms in Brazilian Portuguese) were employed: “efficiency,” “indicators,” “organ donation,” “tissue and organ procurement,” and “organ transplantation.” Of the 344 articles retrieved, 23 original articles published between 1992 and 2013 were selected and reviewed for analysis of efficiency indicators. Results The review revealed 117 efficiency indicators, which were grouped according to similarity of content and divided into three categories: 1) 71 indicators related to organ donation, covering mortality statistics, communication of brain death, clinical status of donors and exclusion of donors for medical reasons, attitude of families, confirmation of donations, and extraction of organs and tissues; 2) 22 indicators related to organ transplantation, covering the surgical procedure per se and post-transplantation follow-up; and 3) 24 indicators related to the demand for organs and the resources of hospitals involved in the process. Conclusions Even if organ transplantation is a recent phenomenon, the high number of efficiency indicators described in the literature suggests that scholars interested in this field have been searching for ways to measure performance. However, there is little standardization of the indicators used. Also, most indicators focus on the donation step, suggesting gaps in the measurement of efficiency at others points in the process. Additional indicators are needed to monitor important stages, such as organ distribution (for example, organ loss indicators) and post-transplantation aspects (for example, survival and quality of life).

An analysis of the quality indicators of the organ donation process in São Paulo, Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Few studies have investigated whether quality initiatives in the process of organ donation yield better results of the organ donation process. OBJECTIVE: To analyze whether the indicators of the organ donation process in Brazilian hospitals meet the standards established by the Organ Donation European Quality System (ODEQUS). DESIGN: We evaluated the quality of the organ donation in a selected group of Brazilian hospitals served by the Nucleus of Organ Procurement (NOP) using standards of the ODEQUS. RESULTS: Structural and process indicators had 100% conformity. Indicators of results showed a family consent rate of 61% (29% lower than ODEQUS goal); a conversion rate of potential donors to effective donors of 47% (28% below the goal); and a 12% rate of sudden cardiac arrest (higher than the quality limit). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the importance for the development of quality initiatives in identifying gaps and weaknesses in the process that should be corrected or even restructured, therefore maximizing the number of donors and organs transplanted. Hospitals that participate in the NOP process met 61% of the quality indicators proposed by ODEQUS. Identification of potential donors, family consent, conversion, and sudden cardiac arrest rates are areas that did not conform to ODEQUS standard and revealed a great opportunity for improvement.